Pocket shimming?

bearsafety

bearsafety

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Does anybody on here know how to shim pockets? I have a Valley bar box and want to tighten the pockets up but dont want to really use those cheap spring foam clamp things..

can I add rubber to my rails and then recloth them? how?:confused:
 
You will get detailed answers in the ask the mechanic forum.

The short version is there are two ways to shim pockets, by gluing and tacking facing material in the pocket openings, or to build the subrails out with plywood and re-cushion. The rubber will be slightly longer because you extended the subrails so the pocket openings will be tighter, and you don't have to use as many facing shims.

You can also by Ridgeback rails for a valley barbox which has all of this work done for you.

Making the pockets tighter by adding facing shims is the cheap way to go, but as you start stacking these shims on each other (2-3) you really change the way the pocket plays. For a better playing table go with the subrail extention, or ridgebacks.




bearsafety said:
Does anybody on here know how to shim pockets? I have a Valley bar box and want to tighten the pockets up but dont want to really use those cheap spring foam clamp things..

can I add rubber to my rails and then recloth them? how?:confused:
Click to expand...
 
Shimming..

When using cushion facings,You'll also need a Dremel to even out the facing with the cushions..
 
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Ridgeback rails are definitely the way to go.

I've installed them on several tables and its always amazing how well they play. Night and day. They will make your valley play like a new table
 
bearsafety said:
thanks for the info on the Ridgeback!

Are 4 1/2" pockets big?
Click to expand...

For corner pockets, 4.5 inches is the new pro standard. On a Valley they still play big, because the shelf in the pocket is so far forward they play "bigger". Ridgebacks are a good way to go, all the work is done, just have to bolt them on.
 
Looks like you came to the right place. I read the original post and had a few things to tell you to help but everyone covered all the points I was going to make and then some. Lots of knowledge on this board!
 
Just wanted to share, you can get thicker neoprene to replace the facings to shrink the pocket. I reduced my pocket size 1/4" (added 1/8" thicker facings on each side) and improved how the pocket plays because it firmed up the rail to reduce rattle.

This was from realkingcobra's suggestion and it worked fantastic! cost of materials was less than 30 bucks :)
 
i actually watched a utube video about pocket reducers. and I cut up a foam mat to reduce my valley 4 1/2 pockets down to 3 1/2 inch pockets. sounds goofy but it actually worked.And I know some will say whatever about the 3 1/2 but its working for me and im just sharing a temp fix that u can remove if you dont like it.the exercise mat was 15 bucks so a good price for what I ended up with,good luck
 
From my limited experience I have two different thoughts on shimming pockets.

The first is it just makes it harder to pocket balls and doesn't necessarily make you a better player. The best way to improve is learning to control the CB and not trying to pocket balls into a smaller pocket. You watch most matches and the reason that players lose is because of bad position play. They either hook themselves or leave themselves a tough shot. You also need to know how to get out of and return a safety. Get good position and the pocketing of balls get easier no matter how tight they are. Have seen many matches on tables with very loose pockets and the out come was still the same because of bad position play. The pockets didn't matter. Tight pockets do make some difference in pro matches but they already know how to controll the CB.

The other is if you really think at you need tighter pockets it will be cheaper overall to buy a table that already has them. To do it right the rails need to be extended, purchase new cushions, and cloth. Then all of the work involved to do it. You could do it yourself but if you mess up you are out of the material cost. Then after doing that the pocket shelves will be too shallow because of the rails being extended. Best is to buy a 7 ft Diamond. It may cost a little more up front but will end up being a better way to invest in tighter pockets.

.
 
Steve...That's interesting! I had not heard of using neoprene as pocket facing. Normal facing material is made of asbestos, and when you start stacking them on top of each other (to tighten the pocket) you change the way the pocket plays...it becomes more "dead". I can see how neoprene wouldn't have that effect. :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

boyersj said:
Just wanted to share, you can get thicker neoprene to replace the facings to shrink the pocket. I reduced my pocket size 1/4" (added 1/8" thicker facings on each side) and improved how the pocket plays because it firmed up the rail to reduce rattle.

This was from realkingcobra's suggestion and it worked fantastic! cost of materials was less than 30 bucks :)
Click to expand...
 
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